International Journal of Paleopathology最新文献

{"title":"A short and sickly life. Multi-indicator analysis of an infant from a late antique Italian burial site (Piano della Civita, Artena, 3rd-5th cent CE)","authors":"Viola Cecconi ,&nbsp;Alessia Nava ,&nbsp;Federico Lugli ,&nbsp;Alissa Mittnik ,&nbsp;Susanna Sawyer ,&nbsp;Jan Gadeyne ,&nbsp;Cécile Brouillard ,&nbsp;Ron Pinhasi ,&nbsp;David Reich ,&nbsp;Alessandra Sperduti","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate pathological lesions and related growth impairment in an infant from a late antiquity context in central Italy.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>The individual labeled as 04.AR.60004 comes from a small burial plot in Piano della Civita di Artena, Italy, dated to the 3rd-5th centuries.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Macroscopic examination, metric analysis, dental histomorphometry, amelogenin sequencing, and aDNA analyses were employed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Individual 04.AR.60004 is an infant male with an estimated age-at-death of 2 months showing two metabolic stress events, one occurring before birth and one a few days before death. The well-preserved skeleton shows diffuse abnormal cortical porosity and subperiosteal new bone formation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The type and distribution of the skeletal lesions suggest a diagnosis of infantile scurvy, probably associated with a general status of malnutrition. Dimensions of cranial and postcranial bones show a wide discrepancy between the skeletal age (38–40 fetal weeks) and the dental histological age (2 months).</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Including enamel histology age-at-death estimation may expand our knowledge of the influence of severe pathological cases on growth.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Although scurvy remains the most obvious diagnosis, we cannot exclude other related micronutrient deficiencies which might have affected the individual.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Including dental histometric and molecular sex estimation in infant pathological cases can help us to recognize impaired growth and enhance our understanding of sex-based susceptibility and potential biases in childcare within ancient communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 93-103"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143768639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are endocranial granular impressions pathognomonic of tuberculous meningitis or a marker of tuberculous infection? An investigation on a medieval osteoarcheological assemblage from Italy","authors":"Maria Laura Genchi ,&nbsp;Valentina Giuffra ,&nbsp;Stefano Campana ,&nbsp;Giulia Riccomi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>In recent paleopathological literature, granular impressions on the endocranial surface are considered pathognomonic of tuberculous meningitis. This study aims to verify the presence of granular impressions and assess their relationship with tuberculosis in an archeological human skeletal assemblage.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>The study analyzed the endocranial surfaces of 212 skulls (38 non-adults and 174 adults) from the medieval site of Pieve di Pava, Italy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Macroscopic and stereomicroscopic examination of the endocranial surface was conducted to evaluate the presence, location, and manifestation of granular impressions.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Granular impressions affected more than half of the individuals, with no statistical difference between males and females.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The high frequency of granular impressions challenges their interpretation as pathognomonic of tuberculous meningitis, a rare complication of tuberculosis affecting the central nervous system. Instead, these lesions should be considered indicative of bacteremia, when bacilli reach the central nervous system and form tubercles on the meninges. It cannot be established whether these tubercles were quiescent or had ruptured, leading to tuberculous meningitis.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Based on the pathogenic life cycle of <em>M. tuberculosis,</em> as defined in clinical settings, it seems prudent to consider granular impressions as a marker of tuberculosis infection, rather than of active tuberculosis disease or tuberculous meningitis in paleopathology.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Research limitations include the smaller number of non-adults compared to adults.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Screening of granular impressions in other large osteoarcheological assemblages could provide new and more reliable data on the spread of tuberculosis infection across different social contexts, geographical settings, and historical periods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 81-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143696675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From privies to disease: Parasites and pollen from 19th century Québec City","authors":"Aida R. Barbera ,&nbsp;Guillaume Pouliot ,&nbsp;Martin Lavoie ,&nbsp;Najat Bhiry ,&nbsp;Allison Bain ,&nbsp;Karine Taché","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.03.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This project combines the analysis of parasites and pollen remains from a wealthy 19th century household in Québec City, Canada to examine health as it intersects with ecological and cultural factors of disease transmission in changing urban environments.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Nineteen sediment samples from two privy structures from a 19th century wealthy household in Québec City, Canada.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The parasite analysis was conducted by examining the sediment through acid digestion, deflocculation and micro-sieving, and observed under a brightfield microscope. Pollen analysis followed the same method, but the sediments were further treated with acetolysis before microscopic observation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The samples tested positive for the parasites <em>Trichuris trichiura</em>, <em>Ascaris lumbricoides</em> and capillariids. The pollen spectra showed a mixed diet based on species of cereals and other starchy foods, fruits, and green leaves, as well as condiments and potential medicinal ingredients (Myrtaceae).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The household members were infected with intestinal parasites spread through contact with fecal contaminated soils, suggesting deficient sanitation and hygiene. The pollen grains recovered evidence of a staple diet and medicinal remedies.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This project highlights the benefits of using multiple lines of evidence to understand health in the past. Insight into how urbanization and poor sanitation can create environments conducive to parasite infection is gained and expands our knowledge of disease transmission and the synergies between environment and disease.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>The analysis of privy structures offers an interpretation at the community level, masking individual idiosyncrasies.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Similar studies on other contemporaneous sites across the city are needed to better comprehend the link between pathogen transmission, disease intensity and socioenvironmental factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 69-80"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143687873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ossicular chain changes revealed middle ear inflammation in medieval rural central Italy (Tuscany 10th-12th century)","authors":"Emy Gentile ,&nbsp;Valentina Giuffra ,&nbsp;Stefano Campana ,&nbsp;Giulia Riccomi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To assess the prevalence of chronic otitis media in the medieval rural site of Pieve di Pava (central Italy) by analysing pathological changes in auditory ossicles and to investigate specific risk factors responsible for middle ear inflammation in a rural environment.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>A total of 224 ossicles from 119 individuals (20 pre-adults and 99 adults) were examined.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Stereomicroscopic observation was used to evaluate osteoclastic and osteoblastic COM-related bone changes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>COM-related bone changes were observed in 52 ossicles, pertaining to 39 individuals (25 % of pre-adults and 34.3 % of adults), with no statistically significant difference between adult males and females. Pitting was the most common lesion-type (82.7 %), while new bone formation was less common (13.5 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Compared to urban medieval sites in western and northern-eastern Europe, the individuals from rural Pieve di Pava exhibited lower rates of chronic otitis media. This may be attributed to reduced exposure to urban-risk factors, such as indoor air pollution and overcrowding. Conversely, rural-specific factors, like farming, husbandry, and craft activities, might have influenced the observed prevalence.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>The broad range of lesion-types on the ossicles and their severity helped us to provide diagnostic criteria for assessing COM in paleopathology.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>The inability to examine all ossicles per individual, as well as the restricted number of pre-adults compared to adults.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for Future research</h3><div>Further archaeological population-based studies examining ossicles from different time periods and urban/rural settings across Mediterranean Europe could provide insights into the prevalence of chronic otitis media with a diachronic perspective.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 58-68"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143551469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A case of disability and care during Inca times","authors":"Catalina Morales,&nbsp;Francisco Garrido","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate pathological lesions observed in an individual and use them as a means to explore cultural patterns of caregiving.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>A well-preserved female skeleton aged 45 years or older exhibiting an unusual distribution and severity of alterations on joints. The individual comes from a Late Horizon cemetery (1400–1550 CE) in the Copiapó Valley, northern Chile.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Visual analysis was utilized to estimate sex and age, followed by a paleopathological differential diagnosis. Additionally, a model of disability and care was applied.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our examination suggests the presence of a polyarticular arthritic condition. The differential diagnosis pointed to spondyloarthritis, affecting the spine, sacrum, hands, knees and feet. The individual was buried without any discernible distinction from others within their local group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This case presents new evidence of the presence of spondyloarthritis in populations of South America before Spanish colonization, which probably produced mobility limitations. Additionally, it provides evidence of caregiving practices in the Copiapó society during the Late Horizon.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Our study contributes to the understanding of spondyloarthritis during the Inca period in northern Chile and indicates that despite living in a time of political transformation, labor demands, and social pressures related to Inca territorial expansion, caregivers appeared to have possessed adequate resources and time to offer aid and secure survival for individuals impacted by chronic disease.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Molecular indicators of arthritis were not included in our analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>A comparative study involving other instances of arthropathies associated with inflammatory disorders in the Andes region could offer valuable insights.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 50-57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143535051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Archeometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 18–19th centuries)","authors":"Alexandra Zinn ,&nbsp;Aminte Thomann ,&nbsp;Yannick Lefrais ,&nbsp;Olivier Dutour ,&nbsp;Antony Colombo","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The French medico-historical literature reports the common use of mercury-based treatments until the mid-19th century. An exploratory paleopharmacological approach is presented for detecting mercury in a child’s skeletal remains suffering from vitamin deficiencies. This aims to corroborate written sources and provide a way to better understand disease therapeutic management.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>This study focuses on a 3–4-year-old child showing signs of rickets and possible scurvy from “rue Thubeuf<em>”</em> cemetery (Rouen, late 18–19th centuries). Analysis was carried out on a thoracic vertebral body and the right second deciduous mandibular molar.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) and cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) provided mercury detection and quantification. Micro-CT analysis was implemented to detect the interglobular dentine potentially related to vitamin D deficiency.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The ED-XRF spectrum showed a mercury peak for the vertebra, none for the molar. The vertebra CV-AAS analysis revealed a high mercury rate of 9.373 mg/kg.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The individual was likely exposed to high mercury levels originating from therapeutic treatment, potentially for vitamin deficiencies, in the last months of life.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Paleopharmacological analysis is an important tool in the analysis of medical treatment in the past.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Soil analysis could contribute to improved knowledge of contamination sources.</div></div><div><h3>Further research</h3><div>This approach should be expanded to more individuals to better assess the treatment frequency of vitamin deficiency diseases during industrialization.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 29-36"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143480582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The pathology of sacrifice: Dogs from an early Roman ‘ritual’ shaft in southern England","authors":"Ellen Green","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the health of a large assemblage of Romano-British dogs recovered from the first century CE ritual shaft on the Nescot site in Surrey, England.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>5463 dog bones comprising an MNI of 140 individuals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Bone fragments were visually inspected for pathology. In the case of suspected fractures, radiographic images were taken.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Lesions were observed in 2.26 % of skeletal remains and 14.06 % of dentition.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The Nescot dogs have similar rates of skeletal pathology to those recovered from other ‘ritual’ or cemetery contexts but lower rates than those recovered from Romano-British urban contexts.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Nescot represents one of the largest dog assemblages recovered from a ritual context and thus is a valuable for investigating the treatment of dogs. This study has highlighted the importance of standardised recording and quantification of pathology in zooarchaeology, as well as the importance of specialist involvement during excavation.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Limited recording at excavation level and the disarticulated nature of the bone limited examination at an ‘individual’ level. This made comparisons with other Romano-British sites challenging. No comparative data was available to assess the rates of dental pathology.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Given that the majority of zooarchaeological assemblages are disarticulated, the use of prevalence rates by element would greatly expand the amount of comparative data available.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 37-49"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143480581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A historical case of Eagle’s syndrome from the Constantine-Helena Church, Niğde, Türkiye","authors":"Gülfem Uysal ,&nbsp;Benjamin Irvine ,&nbsp;Kameray Özdemir","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate a case of elongated styloid processes in an individual from a Byzantine burial.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>One well preserved adult human skeleton dated to the 7th-9th centuries buried within the church of Constantine-Helena near Niğde in the Cappadocia region of Anatolia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Macroscopic and metric analysis using a digital sliding calliper, enhanced and complemented by a Multi-Detector Computer Tomography scan of the cranium.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Individual was estimated to be an old adult male. Total lengths of the left styloid process were 79.0 mm using a calliper and 78.7 mm based on computerised digital measurement. The right styloid process measured 73.0 mm using a calliper and 75.5 mm based on computerised digital measurement.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Bilateral elongation of the styloid processes and Eagle’s syndrome were confirmed based on the lengths of the styloid processes greater than the normal range. The most consistent aetiology of the condition in this instance is anatomic variance.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Recognising the presence of Eagle Syndrome in the past provides insight into population dynamics and potentially the evolution of this condition.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>Only a single individual was evaluated without aDNA analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Further analysis and review of skeletal populations, using standardised methods and modern imaging techniques, to identify this condition geographically and chronologically.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 21-28"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143378818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Spavin in modern and archaeological cattle: Reassessing its association with traction use","authors":"Phoebe Liu ,&nbsp;Lenny Salvagno ,&nbsp;Umberto Albarella","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate the correlations of biological factors, including age, body size, and sex, with the occurrence of spavin, demonstrating that using spavin to indicate cattle use for draught work from archaeological sites is questionable.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>Metatarsals from 126 modern non-draught cattle kept under similar conditions, along with published data of 18 draught oxen.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>This study demonstrates that spavin strongly correlates with age, body weight, and to some extent, restricted movement, with no observed correlation with sex in non-draught cattle. No significant difference in spavin prevalence was found between the draught and non-draught groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Age, body weight, and potentially restricted movement, may partly explain the higher frequency of spavin observed in historic times compared to prehistory, reflecting changes in livestock management. The potential influence of traction on spavin should not be ignored, but this paper argues that the connection between spavin and draught use is primarily mediated by age and other factors.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>This study presents the first systematic analysis of one of the most frequently described palaeopathology in cattle, suggesting that spavin should not be uncritically used to identify draught cattle.</div></div><div><h3>Limitation</h3><div>We have not found a significant relationship between sex and spavin occurrence, but this is worth further exploration.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>Sexing pathological metatarsals from archaeological sites in future works could contribute to clarifying the causes of spavin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 12-20"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143377080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A comparative approach to bony changes in maxillary and frontal sinuses as indicators of upper respiratory health","authors":"Jeannette Becker ,&nbsp;Sylvia Kirchengast","doi":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The central aspect of this study is to provide a detailed comparison of bony changes in the maxillary and frontal sinuses in human skeletal remains in an effort to assist researchers record lesions and assist with potential diagnoses.</div></div><div><h3>Materials</h3><div>198 adult human remains from a medieval Avar population from Vienna, Austria.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Analysis of bony changes using an endoscopic multifunctional camera with an ultra-small lens and adjustable LED lights.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Most common findings in both the maxillary and frontal sinuses are “pitting” and “white pitted bone”. However, significant differences between the maxillary and frontal sinuses regarding the frequency and variation of bony lesions exist.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The maxillary sinuses exhibited significantly greater prevalence of bony changes compared to the frontal sinuses but frontal sinuses, which generally are less frequently affected by inflammatory, malignant, or benign lesions, may ultimately provide more informative insights in paleopathological studies concerning the health of the upper airways than the maxillary sinuses.</div></div><div><h3>Significance</h3><div>Considering that most paleopathological studies on paranasal sinuses focus primarily on the maxillary sinuses, this study provides comparative data on the diversity of bony changes found in the frontal sinuses as a means to assist paleopathological recording and potentially eventual diagnosis.</div></div><div><h3>Limitations</h3><div>The lack of knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying individual bony features complicates interpretation, particularly in paleopathological studies.</div></div><div><h3>Suggestions for further research</h3><div>A further examination of all paranasal sinuses (including the sphenoid sinuses and ethmoidal cells) is recommended.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48817,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Paleopathology","volume":"49 ","pages":"Pages 1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143377079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}